Methods and arrangements for an automated exchange system

ABSTRACT

A method of processing exchange system trading data is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving an order data message from a matching engine of an automated exchange. The order data message has first data format and it also comprises identification information associated with a trading entity. The received data message is then converted into a new data message of a new data format, which is different from the data format of the received order data message. Also, the trading entity from which the received order data message is originating is identified. Subsequently, the new data message having the new data format can be transmitted to a plurality of client devices associated with the identified trading entity. This may allow for all, or at least a majority of client devices, of the identified trading entity to get an overview of the total order activity of the identified trading entity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention presented herein generally relateto an automated exchange system. In particular, embodiments of thepresent invention present methods and arrangements, e.g. gateways, foran automated exchange system.

BACKGROUND

When a seller and a buyer, i.e. order or quote owners, agree to aparticular price for a financial instrument they complete a trade. Thatis to say that they complete a verbal, or electronic, transactioninvolving one party buying a financial instrument from another party.The trades are typically initiated and completed by trading entitiessuch as individuals, firms, dealers (who may be either individuals orfirms), traders and brokers or sometimes by the order owners themselves.Trading of financial instruments is generally performed on an exchange,i.e. a trading venue and the trading is typically done through brokers,or traders, who buy or sell the financial instruments on behalf of theorder owners. The term “financial instruments” is used in a broad senseand encompasses any tradable item i.e. securities, derivative orcommodity, such as stocks, bonds, cash, swaps, futures, foreignexchange, options, gas electricity and so forth, or group of items thatis traded through matching of counterparty orders.

A conventional automated exchange typically receives order input data,in the form of data messages, from external devices used by traders, orbrokers. The traders, or brokers, submit orders and/or quotes (oralterations/cancellations thereof) to the automated exchange forpurposes of trading. In this context, an order is a request to sell orbuy a financial instrument from any trading participant of the automatedexchange and a “quote” may be an “offer” price, a “bid” price, or acombination of both an “offer” and “bid” price of a financialinstrument, and is determined from quotations made by market makers (ordealers).

The orders/quotes may relate to buying and/or selling of any type offinancial instrument. In particular, the input data to the automatedexchange can be an order data message that represents the placing of anew bid or sell order, or a new quote. The order data message can alsorepresent the change of an existing bid or sell order, or a quote. Inaddition, the order data message can represent a cancellation/change ofan existing bid or sell order, or a quote.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional automated exchangesystem 100. It comprises trader terminals in the form of client devices110 that are used for e.g. issuing order data messages, i.e. input datareceived by the automated exchange 140. The client devices 110 areconnectable, for example over the internet 120A, or over some otherconnection means like a dedicated fiber 120B, to an electronicmarketplace, i.e. the automated exchange 140. The automated exchange 140can be hosted on a single computer server or a cluster of computerservers. Typically, the automated exchange 140 comprises a matchingengine, herein sometimes also abbreviated ME. Sometimes the clientdevices 110 are connected to the automated exchange 140 through agateway 130. The gateway 130 is connected to, or being a part of, theautomated exchange 140 and is configured to receive market actions, i.e.orders and/or quotes from the client devices 110. A gateway 130 isusually in connection with the automated exchange 140 on a dedicatednetwork and forwards the market actions to the automated exchange 140and further usually broadcast updates back to the client devices 110. Itshould however be understood that information being communicated to andfrom the automated exchange 140 and the client devices 110 could becommunicated via a single communication path. While the client devices110 in FIG. 1 are illustrated as client devices that traditionally areassociated with manual input of market actions, the client devices 110can also be implemented as algorithmic trading units, sometimes termedautomatic order generators, having manual input means for control of thealgorithmic trading unit. The algorithmic trading unit may bepre-programmed with instructions to automatically generate sell and buyorders and quotes (or changes/cancellations thereof) in response toinput data received from the automated exchange 140. The client devices110 also represent market makers inputting quotes to the automatedexchange 140.

FIG. 2A is a signalling diagram illustrating an example of a presentsignalling in an automated exchange system 100 when the matching engineof the automated exchange system 140 receives an inbound order datamessage. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, there are four differentclient devices 110, denoted CL1, CL2, CL3 and CL4. All four clientdevices are associated with the same trading entity, e.g. the sametrading firm. Some of the client devices 110 are configured to operateaccording to a first protocol, prA, and other client devices 110 areconfigured to operate according to a second protocol, prB. In thisexample, the first protocol, prA, is the so-called OMNet protocol andthe second protocol, prB, is the so-called OUCH protocol.

In FIG. 2A, the matching engine 140 receives 201 an inbound order datamessage from a client 110, CL1, which is operating according to theOMNet protocol. An outbound message is subsequently transmitted 202,203, or broadcasted, to the client devices 110 that are operatingaccording to the OMNet protocol, i.e. CL1 and CL2. However, as can beseen in the figure, the client devices 110 that are operating accordingto the OUCH protocol do not receive the outbound message.

FIG. 2B is a signalling diagram illustrating another example ofsignalling in an automated exchange system 100 when the matching engine140 receives 211 an inbound order data message. In this example, thematching engine 140 receives 211 an inbound order data message from aclient 110, CL3, which is operating according to the OUCH protocol. Anoutbound message resulting from the matching engine 140 is subsequentlyreturned 212 to the client device from which the matching engine 140received the inbound order data message. Also, the matching engine 140transmits 213, 214, or broadcasts, the outbound message to the clientdevices 110 that are operating according to the OMNet protocol, i.e. CL1and CL2. However, as can be seen in the figure, the other client devices110, CL4, that is operating according to the OUCH protocol does notreceive the outbound message.

In both examples, the outbound messages resulting from matching 140 willnot be transmitted to all client devices 110 of the same trading entity,e.g. the same trading firm. Instead, only some of the total number ofclient devices 110 of the same trading entity can receive the outboundmessage. Whether a certain client device 110 receives the outboundmessage or not is dependent on which protocol the client device 110 inquestion supports.

FIG. 3 is a signalling diagram illustrating an example of the currentsignalling in an automated exchange system 100 after a matching eventhas occurred, e.g. a trade has been settled. A post-trade data messageis sent 301 from the matching engine 140 to a post-trade gateway 150.The post-trade gateway 150 is responsible for various post-tradeactivities. Sometimes the post-trade gateway 150 is referred to as aclearance gateway or a settlement gateway. In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, the post-trade gateway 150 is operating according to prA, i.e.the so-called OMNet protocol. In this example, the post-trade gateway150 (see also FIG. 1) receives 301 the post-trade data message and will,subsequently, transmit 302, 303, or broadcast an outbound post-trademessage to those client devices of the trading entity that are operatingin accordance with the OMNet protocol, i.e. client devices CL1 and CL2.However, other client devices 110, e.g. those client devices operatingaccording to a different protocol such as the OUCH protocol, may notreceive the outbound message from the post-trade gateway 150.

The outbound post-trade data message will thus not be transmitted to allclient devices 110 of the same trading entity, e.g. a trading firm.Instead, only some of the total number of client devices 110 of the sametrading entity can receive the outbound post-trade data message. Whethera certain client device 110 receives the outbound message or not isdependent on which protocol the client device 110 supports.

SUMMARY

It is in view of these considerations and others that the variousembodiments of the present invention have been made. It is a generalobject of the various embodiments of the present invention to providefor methods and arrangements by which one or more of the above-mentioneddisadvantages can be mitigated, alleviated or eliminated.

This object is addressed by the present invention as set out in theappended independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are recited in theappended dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of processingexchange system trading data. The method comprises receiving, by areceiver, a first data message from a matching engine, the first datamessage having a first data format and comprising identificationinformation associated with a trading entity; converting, by aprocessing circuitry, the first data message of the first data formatinto a second data message having a second data format different fromthe first data format; identifying, on the basis of the identificationinformation of the received first data message, the trading entity fromwhich the first data message is originating; and transmitting, by atransmitter, the second data message to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity.

The converting may comprise fetching pre-selected information elementsfrom the first data message and creating the second data message basedon the fetched information elements. For example, the fetching maycomprise fetching at least the first two information elements of thefirst data message. In one embodiment, the fetching comprises fetchingthe first five information elements of the first data message.Alternatively, the fetching may comprise fetching information from anyof the first five information elements of the first data message.

In some embodiments, the converting further comprises converting, by theprocessing circuitry, the first data message of the first data formatinto an additional, third, data message having a third data formatdifferent from the first data format. The converting may comprisefetching pre-selected information elements from the first data messageand creating the second data message based on the fetched informationelements; and fetching pre-selected information elements from the firstdata message and creating the third data message based on the fetchedinformation elements. For example, the fetching may comprise fetchinginformation from the first five information elements of the first datamessage.

The method may additionally comprise receiving, by the receiver, anadditional, fourth, data message from the matching engine, the fourthdata message having a fourth data format and comprising identificationinformation associated with a trading entity; converting, by theprocessing circuitry, the fourth data message of the fourth data formatinto a fifth data message having a fifth data format different from thefourth data format; identifying, on the basis of the identificationinformation of the received fourth data message, the trading entity fromwhich the fourth data message is originating; and transmitting, by atransmitter, the fifth data message to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity. The converting of thefourth message may comprise fetching pre-selected information elementsfrom the first data message and the fourth data message and creating thefifth data message based on the fetched information elements from thefirst data message and the fourth data message, respectively. Moreover,the fetching may comprise fetching information from at least one of theinformation elements of the first data message and fetching informationfrom at least three information elements of the fourth data message.

In some embodiments, the converting comprises discarding thoseinformation elements of the first data message that that are data formatspecific to the first data format.

Furthermore, the method may advantageously be performed by a gateway.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for anautomated exchange system. The method comprises receiving a first datamessage from a post-trade gateway, the first data message having a firstdata format and comprising identification information associated with atrading entity; converting, by a processing circuitry, the first datamessage of the first data format into a second data message having asecond data format different from the first data format; identifying, onthe basis of the identification information of the received first datamessage, the trading entity from which the first data message isoriginating; and transmitting, by a transmitter, the second data messageto one or more client devices associated with the identified tradingentity.

The converting may comprise fetching pre-selected information elementsfrom the first data message and creating the second data message basedon the fetched information elements. For example, the fetching maycomprise fetching at least the first five information elements of thefirst data message. The first data format may be BD6. Also, the methodaccording to the second aspect may advantageously be performed by agateway.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a gateway for processingexchange system trading data. The gateway comprises a receiverconfigured to receive a first data message from a matching engine, thefirst data message having a first data format and comprisingidentification information associated with a trading entity; aprocessing circuitry configured to convert the first data message of thefirst data format into a second data message having a second data formatdifferent from the first data format, and to identify, on the basis ofthe identification information of the received first data message, thetrading entity from which the first data message is originating; and atransmitter configured to transmit the second data message to one ormore client devices associated with the identified trading entity.

The processing circuitry may be configured to fetch pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and create the seconddata message based on the fetched information elements. For example, theprocessing circuitry may be configured to fetch at least the first twoinformation elements of the first data message. In one embodiment, theprocessing circuitry may be configured to fetch the first fiveinformation elements of the first data message. The processing circuitrymay also be configured to fetch information from any of the first fiveinformation elements of the first data message.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured toconvert the first data message of the first data format into anadditional, third, data message having a third data format differentfrom the first data format. The processing circuitry may be configuredto fetch pre-selected information elements from the first data messageand create the second data message based on the fetched informationelements; and to fetch pre-selected information elements from the firstdata message and create the third data message based on the fetchedinformation elements. For instance, the processing circuitry may beconfigured to fetch information from the first five information elementsof the first data message.

In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to receive, anadditional, fourth, data message from the matching engine, the fourthdata message having a fourth data format and comprising identificationinformation associated with a trading entity; the processing circuitryis configured to convert the fourth data message of the fourth dataformat into a fifth data message having a fifth data format differentfrom the fourth data format; and to identify, on the basis of theidentification information of the received fourth data message, thetrading entity from which the fourth data message is originating; andthe transmitter is configured to transmit, the fifth data message to oneor more client devices associated with the identified trading entity.The processing circuitry may be configured to fetch pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage and creating the fifth data message based on the fetchedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage, respectively. In on embodiment, the processing circuitry isconfigured to fetch information from at least one of the informationelements of the first data message and fetch information from at leastthree information elements of the fourth data message.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is configured to discardthose information elements of the first data message that that are dataformat specific to the first data format.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a gateway for processingexchange system trading data. The gateway comprises a receiverconfigured to receive a first data message from a post-trade gateway,the first data message having a first data format and comprisingidentification information associated with a trading entity; aprocessing circuitry configured to convert the first data message of thefirst data format into a second data message having a second data formatdifferent from the first data format, and to identify, on the basis ofthe identification information of the received first data message, thetrading entity from which the first data message is originating; and atransmitter configured to transmit the second data message to one ormore client devices associated with the identified trading entity.

The processing circuitry may be configured to fetch pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and create the seconddata message based on the fetched information elements. In oneembodiment, the processing circuitry may be configured to fetch at leastthe first five information elements of the first data message. The firstdata format may be BD6.

Various embodiments of the present invention may allow for all, or atleast a majority of client devices belonging to one specific tradingentity (e.g. a trading firm), to get an overview of total order activityor total trade activity of this particular trading entity. Thus, all, orat least a majority of, traders of one and the same trading entity maybe provided with an aggregated view of the total order or total tradeactivity of this specific trading entity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention willbe apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodimentsof the present invention, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an automated exchange for automated electronictrading of financial instruments;

FIGS. 2A-2B are signalling diagrams illustrating two examples ofsignalling in an automated exchange system 100;

FIG. 3 is a signalling diagram illustrating an example signalling in anautomated exchange system 100 after a matching event has occurred;

FIGS. 4A-4B show signalling diagrams illustrating two examples ofsignalling in an automated exchange system 100 according to embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 5 is a signalling diagram illustrating an example signalling in anautomated exchange system 100 after a matching event has occurredaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrates various examples of conversion of data messagesaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a data message conversion according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow-chart illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow-chart illustrating a method according toanother embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a gateway; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of another gateway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments ofthe invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided byway of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those personsskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription.

With reference to FIG. 4A, a first embodiment of the invention will bediscussed. FIG. 4A differs from the signaling diagram in FIG. 2A in thata novel gateway 160 is introduced. Also, the signaling in FIG. 4Adiffers from the signaling FIG. 2A as will be further detailed hereinbelow. This novel gateway 160 can be referred to as a “Firm Order Drop”gateway.

Similar to the signaling in FIG. 2A, the matching engine 140 receives201 an inbound order data message from a client 110, CL1, which isoperating according to a first protocol, i.e. the OMNet protocol in thisexample. An outbound message is subsequently transmitted 202, 203, orbroadcasted, to the client devices 110 that are operating according tothe OMNet protocol, i.e. CL1 and CL2. Furthermore, the gateway 160receives 404 the order data message from the matching engine 140. Thisorder data message has a certain data format, which is in conformitywith the OMNet protocol. The gateway converts the received order datamessage having the certain data format into a second order data messagehaving a different data format. Details regarding the conversion fromone data format to another will be further discussed herein withreference to FIG. 6. Furthermore, the gateway 160 identifies, on thebasis of identification information of the received order data message,the trading entity from which the order data message is originating.Subsequently, the order data message having the new, different, formatcan be transmitted 405, 406, or broadcasted, to one or more (e.g. all),client devices associated with the identified trading entity, e.g. atrading firm. As is illustrated in FIG. 4A, all client devices of thesame trading entity, e.g. the same trading firm, may receive outboundorder data messages. This way, all client devices of the same tradingentity can get an overview of total order activity of this tradingentity. The introduction of the novel gateway 160 and the new signalingmay thus allow for the ability for all client devices of a specifictrading entity to get an aggregated view of the total order activity ofa specific trading entity.

With reference to FIG. 4B, a second embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. FIG. 4B differs from the signaling diagram in FIG. 2B by theintroduction of the gateway 160. As can be seen, also the signaling inFIG. 4B differs from the signaling of FIG. 2B. The matching engine 140receives 211 an inbound order data message from a client 110, CL3, whichis operating according to a second protocol, i.e. the OUCH protocol inthis example. An outbound message is subsequently returned 212, i.e.transmitted, to the client device 110, CL3, from which the inbound orderdata message was received. Additionally, outbound order data messagesare transmitted 213, 214, or broadcasted, to those client devices 110,CL1 and CL2, that are operating in accordance with the other protocol,prA, i.e. OMNet in this example. Moreover, the gateway 160 receives 414the order data message from the matching engine 140. The gateway 160converts the received order data message having the certain data formatinto a second order data message having a different data format. Detailsregarding the conversion from one data format to another will be furtherdisclosed herein with reference to FIG. 6. Furthermore, the gateway 160identifies, on the basis of the identification information of thereceived order data message, the trading entity from which the inboundorder data message is originating. Subsequently, the order data messagehaving the new, different, format can be transmitted 415, 416, orbroadcasted, to one or more, e.g. all, client devices associated withthe identified trading entity, e.g. a trading firm. As is illustrated inFIG. 4B, all client devices of the same trading entity, e.g. the sametrading firm, can receive outbound order data messages. This way, allclient devices of the same trading entity can get an overview of thetotal order activity of this trading entity. Or said differently, theintroduction of the novel gateway 160 and the new signaling may allowfor the ability for all client devices 110 of a specific trading entityto get an aggregated view of the total order activity of the specifictrading entity.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention. As can beseen, this figure differs from FIG. 3 in that a novel gateway 170 isintroduced. The signaling in FIG. 5 differs from the signaling in FIG. 3as will be further detailed herein below. This novel gateway 170 can bereferred to as a “Firm Trade Drop” gateway. In FIG. 5, a post-trade datamessage is sent 301 from the matching engine 140 to a post-trade gateway150. The post-trade gateway 150 is responsible for various post-tradeactivities. In this example embodiment, the post-trade gateway 150 isoperating according to prA, i.e. the so-called OMNet protocol. As can beseen in the figure, the post-trade gateway 150 receives 301 thepost-trade data message. Subsequently, the post-trade gateway 150transmits 302, 303, or broadcasts, an outbound post-trade message tothose client devices of the trading entity that are operating inaccordance with the same protocol as the post-trade gateway 150. i.e.client devices CL1 and CL2. Additionally, the gateway 170 receives thepost-trade data message 504 from the post-trade gateway 150. The gateway170 converts the received post-trade data message having the certaindata format into a second post-trade data message having a differentdata format. Details regarding the conversion from one data format toanother will be further disclosed herein with reference to FIG. 7.Furthermore, the gateway 170 identifies, on the basis of theidentification information of the received order data message, thetrading entity from which the inbound order data message is originating.Subsequently, the order data message having the new, different, formatcan be transmitted 505, 506, or broadcasted, to one or more, e.g. all,client devices associated with the identified trading entity, e.g. atrading firm. This way, all client devices of the same trading entitycan get an overview of the total trade activity of this trading entity.Or more specifically, any client device 110 of the same trade entity canget an overview of all settled trades relating to the trading entity towhich the client device belongs. Hence, the introduction of the novelgateway 170 and the new signaling may allow for the ability for allclient devices 110 of a specific trading entity to get an aggregatedview of settled trades relating to the specific trading entity.

With reference to FIG. 6, various examples of conversions from a firstdata message of a first data format into a second data message having asecond data format, which is different from the first data format, willbe described. As can be seen in the figures, there exist variousinformation elements according to the following:

TABLE 1 Information elements and content of the information elements.Information Element Name Information Content Order book ID The name ofthe traded instrument that is affected by the order change; ex ERIC BOrder ID The ID of a particular order Owner The owner of the order.Comprises ID or identifi- cation information of the trading entity.Update type The update can be of any of the following types: Add,Delete, Modify. “Add” relates to new orders, “Delete” relates toexisting orders that are deleted and “Modify” relate to existing ordersthat are modified. Basic order info. Price, Quantity, Order type,etcetera. Extended order info. Add-on information regarding a certainorder. This information element is not available for all proto- cols.For example, the OUCH protocol which is supporting low-latency tradeinclude less informa- tion elements and, hence, the data format inaccor- dance with OUCH does not include this information element. On theother hand, the OMNet protocol allows more information elements in itsdata formats. Thus, the data format in accordance with OMNet includesextended order information. This information may include additionalinformation on how a certain order should be handled.

FIG. 6A relates to an example when a new order is made. A first orderdata message 601, which is sometimes referred to as anOrderDetailMessage, is sent from the matching engine 140 to the gateway160 (see FIG. 4). In this example, the first order data message 601comprises at least five information elements. Each of the informationelements may be of one, two or more bytes. In this example, there aresix information elements: Order book ID, Order ID, Owner, Updatetype=Add, Basic Order info., and Extended Order Info. The first orderdata message is then converted into a second order data message 602(e.g., an order accepted message) and a third order data message 603(e.g., order updated message), i.e. two new order data messages. Thesecond order data message 602 may be created by fetching pre-selectedinformation elements from the first order data message 601, such as thefirst two information elements. That is, Order book ID and Order ID.Also, information from any of the first five information elements of thefirst order data message 601 can be fetched and included into the secondorder data message 602. For example, information about the Time and Sidecan be fetched from the information element Basic Order Info. into twonew information elements, i.e. Side and Time, as is illustrated in FIG.6A. In this context, side refers to either bid or ask side. The thirdorder data message 603 may be created by fetching information elementsor information from information elements of the first order data message601. For example, the third order data message 603 may be created byfetching the first three information elements (e.g. Order Book ID, OrderID, Owner) of the first order data message 601 and, additionally, thefifth information element (e.g. Basic Order information). As can be seenin FIG. 6A, the information element “Extended Information Element” isdiscarded and, thus, information from this information element is notused in any of the second and third order data messages 602, 603.Discarding this information element, which is typically protocolspecific (as described in Table 1), may be advantageous as it allows forthe creation or generation of two new order data messages 602, 603 thatdo not necessarily have to support the protocol used by the first dataformat of the first data message 601 including this, protocol-specific,information element. Furthermore, after the gateway 140 has identifiedthe trading entity from which the first data message is originating onthe basis of identification information (e.g. the information element“Owner”) of the received first order data message 601, the gateway cantransmit the new data messages 602 and 603 to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity in accordance with thediscussion hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments,the new data messages 602, 603 are transmitted to all client devices 110of the same trading entity. In other embodiments, the new data messages602, 603 are only transmitted to those client devices 110 of the tradingentity that haven't already received an outbound data message from thematching engine 140. This is controlled by user authorization processes,which give access to various functionalities such as to which devicescertain messages should be sent or not and what messages should bebroadcasted etc.

FIG. 6B relates to an example when an existing order is modified. Afirst order data message 601, e.g. an OrderDetailMessage, is sent fromthe matching engine 140 to the gateway 160 (see FIG. 4). The first orderdata message 601 is converted into a new, order data message, e.g. anorder updated message 604. The creation of the new order data message604 is similar to the creation of the third data message 603 asdescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 6A. Here, the new orderdata message 604 may be created by fetching the first five informationelements or information from the first five information elements of thefirst order data message 601, e.g. Order Book ID, Order ID, Owner,Update type=Modify, Basic Order Info. As can be seen in FIG. 6B, theinformation element “Extended Information Element” is discarded and,thus, information from this information element is not used in the neworder data message 604. After the gateway 140 has identified the tradingentity from which the first data message is originating on the basis ofidentification information (e.g. the information element “Owner”) of thereceived first order data message 601, the gateway can transmit the newdata message 604 to one or more client devices associated with theidentified trading entity in accordance with the discussion hereinabovewith reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the new data message 604is transmitted to all client devices 110 of the same trading entity. Inother embodiments, the new data message 604 is only transmitted to thoseclient devices 110 of the trading entity that haven't already receivedan outbound data message from the matching engine 140.

FIG. 6C relates to an example when an existing order is deleted. A firstorder data message 601, e.g. an OrderDetailMessage, is sent from thematching engine 140 to the gateway 160 (see FIG. 4). The first orderdata message 601 is converted into a new, order data message, e.g. anorder updated message 605. The creation of the new order data message605 is similar to the creation of the new order data message 604 asdescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 6B. Here, the new orderdata message 605 may be created by fetching the first five informationelements or information from the first five information elements of thefirst order data message 601, e.g. Order Book ID, Order ID, Owner,Update type=Delete, Basic Order Info. Moreover, the sixth informationelement “Extended Information Element” is discarded and, thus,information from this information element is not used in the new orderdata message 605. After the gateway 140 has identified the tradingentity from which the first data message is originating on the basis ofidentification information (e.g. the information element “Owner”) of thereceived first order data message 601, the gateway can transmit the newdata message 604 to one or more client devices associated with theidentified trading entity in accordance with the discussion hereinabovewith reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the new data message 605is transmitted to all client devices 110 of the same trading entity. Inother embodiments, the new data message 605 is only transmitted to thoseclient devices 110 of the trading entity that haven't already receivedan outbound data message from the matching engine 140.

FIG. 6D relates to an example when a order is executed. Two order datamessages, e.g. an OrderDetailMessage 601 and a MatchDetailMessage 606,are sent from the matching engine 140 to the gateway 160 (see FIG. 4).In this example, the two received order data messages 601 and 606,respectively, are converted into two new order data messages 607, 608.For example, the OrderDetailMessage 601 is converted into an orderupdated message 607. Additionally, the MatchDetailMessage 606 isconverted into an order executed message 608. The new order data message607 may be created by fetching the five first information elements fromthe first order data message 601, e.g. Order Book ID, Order ID, Owner,Update type, Basic order info. The new order data message 608 may becreated by fetching information elements from a combination of the firstorder data message 601 and the additional order data message 606. Forexample, this new order data message 606 may be created by fetchinginformation from the all or some of the information elements of theadditional order data message 606 (e.g. Order Book ID, Match ID,BasicMatchlnfo.) and by fetching information from one ore more of theinformation elements of the first order data message 601 (e.g. BasicOrder Info.). As can be seen in FIG. 6D, the information element“Extended Information Element” is discarded and, thus, information fromthis information element is not used in any of the new order datamessages 607, 608. After the gateway 140 has identified the tradingentity from which the first data message is originating on the basis ofidentification information (e.g. the information element “Owner”) of thereceived data messages 601 and 606, respectively, the gateway cantransmit the new data messages 607 and 608 to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity in accordance with thediscussion hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4. In some embodiments,the new data messages 607, 608 are transmitted to all client devices 110of the same trading entity. In other embodiments, the new data messages607, 608 are only transmitted to those client devices 110 of the tradingentity that haven't already received an outbound data message from thematching engine 140.

With reference to FIG. 7, an example of a conversion from a first datamessage of a first data format into a second data message having asecond data format, which is different from the first data format, willbe described. As can be seen in the figures, there exist variousinformation elements according to the following:

TABLE 2 Information elements and content of the information elements.Information Element Name Order Book ID Match ID Trade_base Update typeTrade_bt_api Settlement_inst Commission Order_time

FIG. 7 relates to an example when a trade has been made, or settled. Afirst trade data message 701, which is sometimes referred to as a BD6message, is sent from the post-trade gateway 150 to the gateway 170 (seeFIG. 5). The first trade data message may, e.g., comprise five or moreinformation elements as illustrated in FIG. 7 and each of theinformation elements may be of one, two or more bytes. The first tradedata message 701 is then converted into a new trade data message 702.The second trade data message 702 may e.g. be created by fetchinginformation from all of the information elements of the first trademessage 701, e.g. Order Book ID, Match ID, Trade_base, Update type,Trade_bt_api, Settlement_Inst, commission, Order_time. After the gateway170 has identified the trading entity from which the first trade datamessage 701 is originating on the basis of identification information(e.g. the information element (Trade_base) of the received first tradedata message 701, the gateway can transmit the new data messages 702 toone or more client devices associated with the identified trading entityin accordance with the discussion hereinabove with reference to FIG. 5.In some embodiments, the new data message 702 is transmitted to allclient devices 110 of the same trading entity. In other embodiments, thenew data message 702 is only transmitted to those client devices 110 ofthe trading entity that haven't already received an outbound datamessage from the post-trade gateway 150.

With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 6, embodiments of a method will bedescribed. The method may advantageously, but not necessarily, beperformed by a gateway 160, such as a so-called “Firm Order Drop”gateway. In a receive step 800, a first data message 601 (e.g., an orderdata message) is received from a matching engine 140. The first datamessage 601 has a first data format and, also, comprises identificationinformation (e.g. the information element “Owner”) associated with atrading entity. In a data format conversion step 810, the first datamessage 601 of the first data format into a second data message 602,604, 605, 607 having a second data format, which different from thefirst data format. In an identification step 820, the trading entityfrom which the first data message is originating is identified. This maybe done on the basis of the identification information of the receivedfirst data message 601, such as from any of the information elementsOrder Book ID, Order ID or Owner.. In a transmission step 830, thesecond data message 602, 604, 605, 607 is then transmitted, to one ormore client devices associated with the identified trading entity.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example embodiment on the conversion step 810.The step 810 of converting the first data message of the first dataformat to a second data message having a second data format may comprisefetching 811 pre-selected information elements from the first datamessage and creating the second data message based on the fetchedinformation elements. The fetching 811 may comprises fetching at leastthe first two information elements of the first data message. Forexample, the fetching 811 may comprise fetching the first fiveinformation elements of the first data message.

Alternatively, the fetching 811 may comprise fetching information fromany of the first five information elements of the first data message.

Moreover, in some embodiments the conversion step 810 additionallycomprises converting the first data message of the first data formatinto an additional, third, data message 603 having a third data formatdifferent from the first data format. The conversion step 810 may thuscomprise fetching pre-selected information elements from the first datamessage 601 and creating the second data message 602 based on thefetched information elements, and furthermore fetching pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message 601 and creating thethird data message 603 based on the fetched information elements. Thefetching may be according to FIG. 8B. Thus, the fetching 811 may, e.g.,comprise fetching information from the first five information elementsof the first data message.

In some embodiments, the method also comprises receiving 800 anadditional, fourth, data message 606 from the matching engine. Thefourth data message 606 has a fourth data format and comprisesidentification information associated with a trading entity. In theconversion step 810, the fourth data message 606 of the fourth dataformat can be converted into a fifth data message 608 having a fifthdata format, which is different from the fourth data format. Similar asabove, the trading entity from which the fourth data message isoriginating can be identified in an identification step 820. Also, thedata message 608 can be transmitted 830 to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity. Also similar to theabove, the conversion step 810 may comprise fetching informationelements 811. For example, pre-selected information elements from thefirst data message and the fourth data message can be fetched and thefifth data message can be created, or generated, based on the fetchedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage, respectively. In one embodiment, the fetching comprisesfetching information from at least one of the information elements ofthe first data message and fetching information from at least threeinformation elements of the fourth data message.

Turning back to FIG. 8B, it should also be appreciated that theconversion step 810 may optionally comprise a step of discarding one ormore information elements. For example, the conversion step may comprisediscarding those information elements (e.g. “Extended Order Info. asillustrated in FIG. 6) of the first data message 601 that that are dataformat specific to the first data format.

With reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 7, another example embodiment of amethod will be described. The method may advantageously, but notnecessarily, be performed by a gateway 170, such as a so-called “FirmTrade Drop” gateway. In a receive step 900, a first data message 701(e.g., an trade data message) is received from a post-trade gateway 150.The first data message 701 has a first data format and, also, comprisesidentification information associated (e.g. the information elementTrade_base) with a trading entity. In a data format conversion step 910,the first data message 701 of the first data format into a second datamessage 702 having a second data format, which is different from thefirst data format. In an identification step 920, the trading entityfrom which the first data message is originating is identified. This maybe done on the basis of the identification information of the receivedfirst data message 701, such as from the information element Order BookID. In a transmission step 930, the second data message 702 is thentransmitted, to one or more client devices associated with theidentified trading entity.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example embodiment on the conversion step 910. Inthis example, pre-selected information elements are fetched from thefirst data message 701 (which may be of a so-called BD6 data format) andthe second data message 702 is created, or generated, based on theinformation elements that are fetched from the first trade data message.For example, all information elements of the trade data message 701 canbe fetched and put into the new, second, trade data message 702.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of the gateway 160, e.g.implemented on a computer. The gateway 160 may, for instance, beconfigured to perform some or all of the method steps described withrespect to the methods described with reference to FIG. 8. Although theexample according to FIG. 10 shows an implementation using one singlegateway 160, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of theinvention can equally possible be implemented by using several units,e.g. several computers, in a distributed manner. That is to say thatsome or all of the method steps described with respect to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIG. 8 can be distributed among two or morephysical units, e.g. computers, such that some method steps areperformed by one unit and other method steps are performed by one ormore other units.

The gateway 160 comprises a communication interface 161 comprising atransmitter 161 a and a receiver 161 b. The gateway may comprise amemory 162. The memory 162 may be any combination of random accessmemory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 162 may alsocomprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single oneor combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, or solid state memoryor even remotely mounted memory. The gateway 160 also comprises aprocessing circuitry 163, or processing logic circuitry. Thecommunication interface 161, the memory 162 and the processing circuitry163 may be coupled to a bus 164.

The receiver 161 b is configured to receive a first data message from amatching engine of the automated exchange 140. The first data messagehas a first data format and comprises identification informationassociated with a trading entity. The processing circuitry 163 isconfigured to convert the first data message of the first data formatinto a second data message having a second data format different fromthe first data format. To this end, the processing circuitry 163 may beimplemented to include a conversion module 163 a. Also, the processingcircuitry 163 may be configured to identify, on the basis of theidentification information of the received first data message, thetrading entity from which the first data message is originating. To thisend, the processing circuitry may include an identification module 163b. The transmitter 161 b is configured to transmit the second datamessage to one or more client devices associated with the identifiedtrading entity.

The processing circuitry 163 may be configured to fetch pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and create the seconddata message based on the fetched information elements. For example, theprocessing circuitry 163 may be configured to fetch at least the firsttwo information elements of the first data message. In some embodiments,the processing circuitry 163 may be configured to fetch the first fiveinformation elements of the first data message. The processing circuitry163 may additionally, or alternatively, be configured to fetchinformation from any of the first five information elements of the firstdata message.

Moreover, the processing circuitry 163 may be configured to convert thefirst data message of the first data format into an additional, third,data message having a third data format different from the first dataformat. For example, the processing circuitry 163 may be configured tofetch pre-selected information elements from the first data message andcreate the second data message based on the fetched informationelements, and to fetch pre-selected information elements from the firstdata message and create the third data message based on the fetchedinformation elements.

In yet other embodiments of the gateway 160, the receiver 161 b may befurther configured to receive, an additional, fourth, data message fromthe matching engine. The fourth data message may have a fourth dataformat and comprise identification information associated with a tradingentity. The processing circuitry 163 may be further configured toconvert the fourth data message of the fourth data format into a fifthdata message having a fifth data format different from the fourth dataformat. Also, the processing circuitry 163 may be configured toidentify, on the basis of the identification information of the receivedfourth data message, the trading entity from which the fourth datamessage is originating. The transmitter 161 a may be further configuredto transmit the fifth data message to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity. In one embodiment, theprocessing circuitry 163 may be configured to fetch pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage and to create the fifth data message based on the fetchedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage, respectively. For instance, the processing circuitry 163 may beconfigured to fetch information from at least one of the informationelements of the first data message and fetch information from at leastthree information elements of the fourth data message.

In some implementations of the gateway 160, the processing circuitry 163may be configured to discard those information elements of the firstdata message that that are data format specific to the first dataformat.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of the gateway 170, e.g.implemented on a computer. The gateway 170 may, for instance, beconfigured to perform some or all of the method steps described withrespect to the methods described with reference to FIG. 9. Although theexample according to FIG. 11 shows an implementation using one singlegateway 170, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of theinvention can equally possible be implemented by using several units,e.g. several computers, in a distributed manner. That is to say thatsome or all of the method steps described with respect to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIG. 9 can be distributed among two or morephysical units, e.g. computers, such that some method steps areperformed by one unit and other method steps are performed by one ormore other units.

The gateway 170 comprises a communication interface 171 comprising atransmitter 171 a and a receiver 171 b. The gateway may comprise amemory 172. The memory 172 may be any combination of random accessmemory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 172 may alsocomprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single oneor combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, or solid state memoryor even remotely mounted memory. The gateway 170 also comprises aprocessing circuitry 173, or processing logic circuitry. Thecommunication interface 171, the memory 172 and the processing circuitry173 may be coupled to a bus 174.

The receiver 171 b is configured to receive a first data message from apost-trade gateway 150. The first data message, which is a post-tradedata message, has a first data format and also comprises identificationinformation associated with a trading entity. The processing circuitry173 is configured to convert the first data message of the first dataformat (e.g. a BD6 data format) into a second data message having asecond data format, which is different from the first data format. Tothis end, the processing circuitry 173 may be implemented to include aconversion module 173 a. Also, the processing circuitry 173 may beconfigured to identify, on the basis of the identification informationof the received first data message, the trading entity from which thefirst data message is originating. To this end, the processing circuitrymay include an identification module 173 b. The transmitter 171 b isconfigured to transmit the second data message to one or more clientdevices associated with the identified trading entity. The processingcircuitry 173 may be configured to fetch pre-selected informationelements from the first data message and create the second data messagebased on the fetched information elements. For example, the processingcircuitry 173 may be configured to fetch at least the first fiveinformation elements of the first data message as was describedhereinabove with reference to FIG. 7.

Although the present invention has been described above with referenceto specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to thespecific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only bythe accompanying claims and, other embodiments that the specific aboveare equally possible within the scope of the appended claims. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope. Also, when used herein theterms “comprise/comprises” and “include/includes” does not exclude thepresence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individualfeatures may be included in different claims, these may possiblyadvantageously be combined, and the inclusion of different claims doesnot imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/oradvantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude aplurality.

1. A method of processing exchange system trading data, the methodcomprising: receiving, by a receiver, a first data message from amatching engine, the first data message having a first data format andcomprising identification information associated with a trading entity;converting, by a processing circuitry, the first data message of thefirst data format into a second data message having a second data formatdifferent from the first data format; identifying, on the basis of theidentification information of the received first data message, thetrading entity from which the first data message is originating; andtransmitting, by a transmitter, the second data message to one or moreclient devices associated with the identified trading entity.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the converting comprises: fetchingpre-selected information elements from the first data message andcreating the second data message based on the fetched informationelements.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fetchingcomprises: fetching at least the first two information elements of thefirst data message.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein thefetching comprises: fetching the first five information elements of thefirst data message.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein thefetching comprises: fetching information from any of the first fiveinformation elements of the first data message.
 6. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the converting further comprises: converting, by theprocessing circuitry, the first data message of the first data formatinto an additional, third, data message having a third data formatdifferent from the first data format.
 7. The method according to claim6, wherein the converting comprises: fetching pre-selected informationelements from the first data message and creating the second datamessage based on the fetched information elements; and fetchingpre-selected information elements from the first data message andcreating the third data message based on the fetched informationelements.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the fetchingcomprises: fetching information from the first five information elementsof the first data message.
 9. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, by the receiver, an additional, fourth, datamessage from the matching engine, the fourth data message having afourth data format and comprising identification information associatedwith a trading entity; converting, by the processing circuitry, thefourth data message of the fourth data format into a fifth data messagehaving a fifth data format different from the fourth data format;identifying, on the basis of the identification information of thereceived fourth data message, the trading entity from which the fourthdata message is originating; and transmitting, by a transmitter, thefifth data message to one or more client devices associated with theidentified trading entity.
 10. The method according to claim 9, whereinthe converting of the fourth message comprises: fetching pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage and creating the fifth data message based on the fetchedinformation elements from the first data message and the fourth datamessage, respectively.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein thefetching comprises: fetching information from at least one of theinformation elements of the first data message and fetching informationfrom at least three information elements of the fourth data message. 12.The method according to claim 1, wherein the converting comprises:discarding those information elements of the first data message thatthat are data format specific to the first data format.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a gateway. 14.A method for an automated exchange system, the method comprising:receiving a first data message from a post-trade gateway, the first datamessage having a first data format and comprising identificationinformation associated with a trading entity; converting, by aprocessing circuitry, the first data message of the first data formatinto a second data message having a second data format different fromthe first data format; identifying, on the basis of the identificationinformation of the received first data message, the trading entity fromwhich the first data message is originating; and transmitting, by atransmitter, the second data message to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity.
 15. The method accordingto claim 14, wherein the converting comprises: fetching pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and creating the seconddata message based on the fetched information elements.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the fetching comprises: fetching at leastthe first five information elements of the first data message.
 17. Themethod according to claim 14, wherein the first data format is BD6. 18.The method according to claim 14, wherein the method is performed by agateway.
 19. A gateway for processing exchange system trading data, thegateway comprising: a receiver configured to receive a first datamessage from a matching engine, the first data message having a firstdata format and comprising identification information associated with atrading entity; a processing circuitry configured to convert the firstdata message of the first data format into a second data message havinga second data format different from the first data format, and toidentify, on the basis of the identification information of the receivedfirst data message, the trading entity from which the first data messageis originating; and a transmitter configured to transmit the second datamessage to one or more client devices associated with the identifiedtrading entity.
 20. The gateway according to claim 19, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to fetch pre-selected informationelements from the first data message and create the second data messagebased on the fetched information elements.
 21. The gateway according toclaim 20, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to fetch atleast the first two information elements of the first data message. 22.The gateway according to claim 21, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to fetch the first five information elements of the firstdata message.
 23. The gateway according to claim 22, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to fetch information from any of thefirst five information elements of the first data message.
 24. Thegateway according to claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to convert the first data message of the first data formatinto an additional, third, data message having a third data formatdifferent from the first data format.
 25. The gateway according to claim24, wherein processing circuitry is configured to fetch pre-selectedinformation elements from the first data message and create the seconddata message based on the fetched information elements; and fetchpre-selected information elements from the first data message and createthe third data message based on the fetched information elements. 26.The gateway according to claim 25, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to fetch information from the first five information elementsof the first data message.
 27. The gateway according to claim 19,wherein: the receiver is configured to receive, an additional, fourth,data message from the matching engine, the fourth data message having afourth data format and comprising identification information associatedwith a trading entity; the processing circuitry is configured to convertthe fourth data message of the fourth data format into a fifth datamessage having a fifth data format different from the fourth dataformat; and to identify, on the basis of the identification informationof the received fourth data message, the trading entity from which thefourth data message is originating; and the transmitter is configured totransmit, the fifth data message to one or more client devicesassociated with the identified trading entity.
 28. The gateway accordingto claim 27, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to fetchpre-selected information elements from the first data message and thefourth data message and creating the fifth data message based on thefetched information elements from the first data message and the fourthdata message, respectively.
 29. The gateway according to claim 28,wherein the processing circuitry is configured to fetch information fromat least one of the information elements of the first data message andfetch information from at least three information elements of the fourthdata message.
 30. The gateway according to claim 19, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to discard those information elementsof the first data message that that are data format specific to thefirst data format.
 31. A gateway for processing exchange system tradingdata, the gateway comprising: a receiver configured to receive a firstdata message from a post-trade gateway, the first data message having afirst data format and comprising identification information associatedwith a trading entity; a processing circuitry configured to convert thefirst data message of the first data format into a second data messagehaving a second data format different from the first data format, and toidentify, on the basis of the identification information of the receivedfirst data message, the trading entity from which the first data messageis originating; and a transmitter configured to transmit the second datamessage to one or more client devices associated with the identifiedtrading entity.
 32. The gateway according to claim 31, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to fetch pre-selected informationelements from the first data message and create the second data messagebased on the fetched information elements.
 33. The gateway according toclaim 32, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to fetch atleast the first five information elements of the first data message. 34.The gateway according to claim 31, wherein the first data format is BD6.